Grieving relatives asked not to block highway

POLICE in the Highlands have appealed to grieving relatives of the two policemen killed in Wabag about three weeks ago not to block the Highlands Highway. Eastern end divisional command assistant commissioner Nema Mondiai assured them that the process of “investigations and mediations” had started in Mt Hagen. Furthermore, that necessary dialogues would be conducted next week with the relevant authorities in Enga to substantiate the killing of the two policemen. Mondiai said he understood the frustration expressed by the relatives of the two dead policemen because of the delay. “… because we were so busy with the elections. We haven’t had the time to sit down and look at this issue when it happened. We were caught up,” he said. “This morning the PPC for Jiwaka (Supt Joseph Tondop), PPC Western Highlands (Martin Lakari) and I had a meeting on the processes to take in addressing these two deaths.” He said investigations would be stepped up next week as well as “the mediations part to be conducted in the Highlands way,” referring to any form of compensation and resettlement. Mondiai reiterated that the two policemen were members of Mt Hagen-based mobile squad. Members of the Tongai tribe in Jiwaka blocked off the highway at Kiam and Aviamp in the Anglimp-South Waghi electorate. Members of the tribe took their stand after calling on the Enga government, Kandep leader Don Polye and Kandep MP-elect Alfred Manase, the Enga government, police commissioner Gari Baki, Electoral Commissioner Patilas Gamato and the national government to inform them how investigations into the shooting had progressed. Vehicles and trucks carrying loads were stopped on both sides of the highway. Tongai tribe leader Nicholas Kuman said that they had not received any information about the investigation.